NUR 504 3P APEA FINAL PAPER 2026 EXAM
Q&A STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
● A nurse is assessing a dark-skinned client for pallor. What nursing
assessment is best to assess for pallor in this client?
a. Assess the conjunctiva of the eye.
b. Have the patient open the hand widely.
c. Look at the roof of the patient's mouth.
d. Palpate for areas of mild swelling. . Answer: ANS: A
To assess pallor in dark-skinned people, assess the conjunctiva of the
eye or the mucous
membranes. Looking at the roof of the mouth can reveal jaundice.
Opening the hand widely is
not related to pallor, nor is palpating for mild swelling.
● A hospitalized client has a platelet count of 58,000/mm3
(58 × 109/L). What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Encourage high-protein foods.
b. Institute neutropenic precautions.
c. Limit visitors to healthy adults.
d. Place the client on safety precautions. . Answer: ANS: D
,With a platelet count between 40,000 and 80,000/mm3
(40 and 80 × 109 /L), clients are at risk of prolonged bleeding even after
minor trauma. The nurse would place the client on safety or bleeding
precautions as the most appropriate action. High-protein foods, while
healthy, are not the priority. Neutropenic precautions are not needed as
the patient's white blood cell count is not low. Limiting visitors would
also be more likely related to a low white blood cell count.
● A client is having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. What action
by the nurse takes
priority?
a. Administer pain medication first.
b. Ensure that valid consent is in the medical record.
c. Have the client shower in the morning.
d. Premedicate the client with sedatives. . Answer: ANS: B
A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is an invasive procedure that
requires informed consent.
Pain medication and sedation are important components of care for this
client but do not take
priority. The client may or may not need or be able to shower.
● What is the nurse's priority when caring for a client who just
completed a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy?
a. Teach the client to avoid activity for 24 to 48 hours to prevent
infection.
,b. Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to
promote comfort.
c. Check the pressure dressing frequently for signs of excessive or active
bleeding.
d. Report the laboratory results to the primary health care provider. .
Answer: ANS: C
The client having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy has a puncture
wound from the large
needle used to extract the bone marrow. Therefore, the client is at risk
for bleeding. A NSAID
should not be given because it can cause bleeding. Avoiding activity
helps to prevent
bleeding, not infection, and reporting the results of the biopsy is not the
responsibility of the
nurse.
● A nurse is caring for four clients. After reviewing today's laboratory
results, which client would the nurse assess first?
a. Client with an international normalized ratio of 2.8
b. Client with a platelet count of 128,000/mm3 (128 × 109/L).
c. Client with a prothrombin time (PT) of 28 seconds
d. Client with a red blood cell count of 5.1 million/mcL (5.1 × 1012/L) .
Answer: A normal PT is 11 to 12.5 seconds. This client is at high risk of
bleeding with a PT of 28 seconds. The other values are within normal
limits.
, ● A client is having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and is
extremely anxious. What action
by the nurse is the most appropriate?
a. Assess the client's fears and coping mechanisms.
b. Reassure the client that this is a common test.
c. Sedate the client prior to the procedure.
d. Tell the client that he or she will be asleep. . Answer: ANS: A
Assessing the client's specific fears and coping mechanisms helps guide
the nurse in
providing holistic care that best meets the client's needs. Reassurance
will be helpful but is
not the best option. Sedation is usually used. The client may or may not
be totally asleep
during the procedure.
● A client is having a radioisotopic imaging scan. What action by the
nurse is most important?
a. Assess the client for shellfish allergies.
b. Place the client on radiation precautions.
c. Sedate the client before the scan.
d. Teach the client about the procedure. . Answer: ANS: D
The nurse should ensure that teaching is done and the client understands
the procedure.
Q&A STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
● A nurse is assessing a dark-skinned client for pallor. What nursing
assessment is best to assess for pallor in this client?
a. Assess the conjunctiva of the eye.
b. Have the patient open the hand widely.
c. Look at the roof of the patient's mouth.
d. Palpate for areas of mild swelling. . Answer: ANS: A
To assess pallor in dark-skinned people, assess the conjunctiva of the
eye or the mucous
membranes. Looking at the roof of the mouth can reveal jaundice.
Opening the hand widely is
not related to pallor, nor is palpating for mild swelling.
● A hospitalized client has a platelet count of 58,000/mm3
(58 × 109/L). What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Encourage high-protein foods.
b. Institute neutropenic precautions.
c. Limit visitors to healthy adults.
d. Place the client on safety precautions. . Answer: ANS: D
,With a platelet count between 40,000 and 80,000/mm3
(40 and 80 × 109 /L), clients are at risk of prolonged bleeding even after
minor trauma. The nurse would place the client on safety or bleeding
precautions as the most appropriate action. High-protein foods, while
healthy, are not the priority. Neutropenic precautions are not needed as
the patient's white blood cell count is not low. Limiting visitors would
also be more likely related to a low white blood cell count.
● A client is having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. What action
by the nurse takes
priority?
a. Administer pain medication first.
b. Ensure that valid consent is in the medical record.
c. Have the client shower in the morning.
d. Premedicate the client with sedatives. . Answer: ANS: B
A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is an invasive procedure that
requires informed consent.
Pain medication and sedation are important components of care for this
client but do not take
priority. The client may or may not need or be able to shower.
● What is the nurse's priority when caring for a client who just
completed a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy?
a. Teach the client to avoid activity for 24 to 48 hours to prevent
infection.
,b. Administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to
promote comfort.
c. Check the pressure dressing frequently for signs of excessive or active
bleeding.
d. Report the laboratory results to the primary health care provider. .
Answer: ANS: C
The client having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy has a puncture
wound from the large
needle used to extract the bone marrow. Therefore, the client is at risk
for bleeding. A NSAID
should not be given because it can cause bleeding. Avoiding activity
helps to prevent
bleeding, not infection, and reporting the results of the biopsy is not the
responsibility of the
nurse.
● A nurse is caring for four clients. After reviewing today's laboratory
results, which client would the nurse assess first?
a. Client with an international normalized ratio of 2.8
b. Client with a platelet count of 128,000/mm3 (128 × 109/L).
c. Client with a prothrombin time (PT) of 28 seconds
d. Client with a red blood cell count of 5.1 million/mcL (5.1 × 1012/L) .
Answer: A normal PT is 11 to 12.5 seconds. This client is at high risk of
bleeding with a PT of 28 seconds. The other values are within normal
limits.
, ● A client is having a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy and is
extremely anxious. What action
by the nurse is the most appropriate?
a. Assess the client's fears and coping mechanisms.
b. Reassure the client that this is a common test.
c. Sedate the client prior to the procedure.
d. Tell the client that he or she will be asleep. . Answer: ANS: A
Assessing the client's specific fears and coping mechanisms helps guide
the nurse in
providing holistic care that best meets the client's needs. Reassurance
will be helpful but is
not the best option. Sedation is usually used. The client may or may not
be totally asleep
during the procedure.
● A client is having a radioisotopic imaging scan. What action by the
nurse is most important?
a. Assess the client for shellfish allergies.
b. Place the client on radiation precautions.
c. Sedate the client before the scan.
d. Teach the client about the procedure. . Answer: ANS: D
The nurse should ensure that teaching is done and the client understands
the procedure.
